BILL NUMBER: ACR 33	CHAPTERED  02/08/00

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER   16
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   FEBRUARY 8, 2000
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY   FEBRUARY 3, 2000
	ADOPTED IN SENATE   JANUARY 27, 2000
	AMENDED IN SENATE   JANUARY 14, 2000
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   APRIL 8, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Havice

                        MARCH 23, 1999

   Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 33--Relative to Crime Victims'
Rights Week.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 33, Havice.  Crime Victims' Rights Week.
   This measure would recognize the week of April 9 through 15, 2000,
as Crime Victims' Rights Week in California.




   WHEREAS, Violent crimes that invade homes and shatter even the
most trusting relationships continue to plague the citizens of
California; and
   WHEREAS, All Californians are affected by these violent acts, not
just the victims of violent crimes; and
   WHEREAS, The most effective aid that we can provide to victims of
crime is to prevent them from becoming victims in the first place;
and
   WHEREAS, The recognition and protection of victims' rights within
the legal process is one of the most critical components of an
effective criminal justice system; and
   WHEREAS, Victims and witnesses of crime require our special
attention to ensure that they are thoroughly informed about, and
participate effectively in, our criminal justice system; and
   WHEREAS, To the maximum extent allowed by law, victims of violent
crime should receive compensation for their losses; and
   WHEREAS, Each day, thousands of victims and witnesses receive
assistance from victim support organizations, victim-witness
assistance centers, private service providers, and state and local
governments; and
   WHEREAS, The criminal justice system in this state must continue
efforts to better coordinate and improve the quality of services
provided to victims and witnesses; and
   WHEREAS, Time after time, California citizens have continually
demonstrated their commitment to victims of violent crimes; and
   WHEREAS, The Legislature and the voters by initiative have
expanded the death penalty and enacted the "Three Strikes" law as
deterrents to violent crime; and
   WHEREAS, Each year, the observance of the National Crime Victims'
Rights Week focuses on the problems confronting victims of crime and
the services available to support these victims; and
   WHEREAS, National Crime Victims' Rights Week increases the public'
s awareness of crime victims' circumstances and acknowledges the
combined efforts of citizens, government, and the criminal justice
system to improve victims' services in California; now, therefore, be
it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the week of April 9 through 15, 2000, be
recognized as Crime Victims' Rights Week in California; and be it
further
   Resolved, That on the occasion of Crime Victims' Rights Week, the
Legislature encourages all Californians to join in this observance by
wearing victim awareness ribbons to demonstrate their commitment to
assisting victims and to the elimination of crime in the Golden
State.
